DURHAM, N.C. – Head coach Chris Pollard and the Duke baseball program are thrilled to announce the signing of right-hander Jimmy Loper to a National Letter of Intent. A native of Chesapeake, Va., Loper joins the Blue Devils’ 12-player recruiting class set to arrive in Durham this coming fall.

“Jimmy is a very accomplished arm,” said Pollard “He went 10-0 in his junior year. Jimmy has a really good mix of power fastball -- up to 90 mph -- and the ability to locate his offspeed in the zone. We’re excited about his tremendous pitchability and very advanced mound presence.”

As a junior at Hickory High School, Loper earned first team all-conference honors after posting an unblemished 10-0 record. Over 55.0 innings in 2017, Loper allowed six earned runs with 55 strikeouts against 10 walks, good for a 0.76 ERA.

Loper also collected 2016 Underclass Honorable Mention and 2017 Underclass High Honorable Mention accolades during his high school career. Perfect Game ranks Loper among its top 500 prospects in the 2018 recruiting class as well as the No. 345 right-handed pitcher. In addition, the publication lists Loper as the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 9 RHP in the state of Virginia.

In addition to his baseball accolades, Loper is also an accomplished swimmer, earning first team all-conference honors as a member of Hickory’s school-record-setting 400 medley relay.

A total of 12 players make up the Blue Devils’ 2018 recruiting class with all 12 ranked among Perfect Game’s top 500 prospects in the class. GoDuke.com will feature each member of Duke’s 2018 recruiting class every Tuesday over the coming weeks.